Getting solar at the house

[offgrid]

None of my roofs will be south facing, all east or west. But I'm including a detached garage and house together, and they promised 95% of my normal usage via solar, usually 100% plus some.

What is you average monthly KW usage? Total watts proposed?

An example of a output from a grid-tied system I installed 6yrs ago. South facing, full sun. 3200 watts/Sanyo panels. Averages 420 KW's monthly production.

[roberth]

That appears to be a very clean install, it looks nice on the roof. Does the lease include changing the panels out for newer, more efficient panels later?

So by that you align me with Obama voters?

Snort.

Do I agree with the subsidies? Nope. Am I going to make use of them since I am paying for them? Yup.

This is how I see it. Working folks pay an enormous amount of taxes, this is one way to get some of those stolen monies back.

[tmleadr03]

What time of day was the top picture taken?

All pics were taken either at 7 in the morning or 7 at night or later. I am at work when the sun actually hits the roof.

[tmleadr03]

That appears to be a very clean install, it looks nice on the roof. Does the lease include changing the panels out for newer, more efficient panels later?



This is how I see it. Working folks pay an enormous amount of taxes, this is one way to get some of those stolen monies back.

The way the lease works is that it isn't my solar panels till the lease is over. They maintain them and guarantee the lifetime output for the life of the lease. They also check it every few years to make sure it is performing as pro missed and if it isn't they either lower the payment or fix it. Upgrades, not so much.

[Gman]

If you have to replace your roofing, will they come out and remove the panels and reinstall them under the lease without extra expense to you?

ETA: Found the answer; http://www.solarcity.com/learn/solar-faqs.aspx#a15

What if my roof needs repairs after I've installed solar panels?


Ideally, you should install solar panels on a roof that is in good condition. When a SolarCity site auditor comes out to inspect your building prior to installation, he or she will check to make sure that your roof is suitable for a solar installation. Once the solar panels are installed, they actually help to protect your roof from the elements. If you should ever need to make repairs on the roof, the solar panels will need to be removed and re-installed. SolarCity offers this service for a reasonable fee.

So...hypothetically speaking, let's say there's a hail storm and 2/3 of your roof not covered by panels is damaged. Sounds like another expense.

After the panels have degraded and they are finally paid for, you're stuck with them? No upgrades and another lease contract?

[tmleadr03]

If you have to replace your roofing, will they come out and remove the panels and reinstall them under the lease without extra expense to you?

ETA: Found the answer; http://www.solarcity.com/learn/solar-faqs.aspx#a15



So...hypothetically speaking, let's say there's a hail storm and 2/3 of your roof not covered by panels is damaged. Sounds like another expense.

After the panels have degraded and they are finally paid for, you're stuck with them? No upgrades and another lease contract?

If you buy a house do you get stuck with it after you pay it off? How about a car? You don't pay off a car and just get an upgrade. You want something new and upgraded you have to buy one. You want newer panels you have to buy them.

[mtnhack]

Yep. We're all paying for something that isn't sustainable nor does it become net positive over time. They'd be better off spending the money for conventional power generation that makes sense instead of making the wind turbine and solar pushers wealthy at our expense. The pushers selling the hardware are the winners in this proposition. The taxpayers get left holding the bag.

The Obama voters across the street love their solar.

I don't understand this. How is it not sustainable or net positive? My buddy in S. Ft Collins had them installed last year and he is at 110-150% usage, so he gets money credited back for the excess electricity he is producing on his roof.

[roberth]

The problem with solar and wind is that it isn't driven by market forces. Solar and wind are driven by the government using command economy forces, solar and wind are false economies. If wind and solar were as efficient and clean as fossil fuels we'd be on them already.

I don't think venture capitalsts see any future in wind or solar, that is why the government is driving the R&D and implementation through massive tax rebates and payouts and such.

[rockhound]

the reason they are not feasible is due to the high costs of the system, until recently you had to shell out the thoudsands up front, solar city and companies like them are changing the game at least on that front.

[tmleadr03]

the reason they are not feasible is due to the high costs of the system, until recently you had to shell out the thoudsands up front, solar city and companies like them are changing the game at least on that front.

Exactly, and even so I played with the numbers and it would have made as much sense to go with paying up front if I had the funds right now.